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MINI REVIEW article

Front. Nutr.
Sec. Nutrition and Metabolism
Volume 12 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fnut.2025.1535498
This article is part of the Research Topic Iron Deficiency and Excess: Diagnosis, Management and Impact on Human Health View all articles

Harnessing the power of proteins in Modulation of miRNAs for targeting Iron Deficiency Anemia: Opinion for Future Implications and Strategies

Provisionally accepted
Ray Wagiu Basrowi Ray Wagiu Basrowi 1,2,3Tonny Sundjaya Tonny Sundjaya 2,4Dessy Pratiwi Dessy Pratiwi 2Nurlinah Amalia Nurlinah Amalia 5,6Yosi Yohanes Putra Tandi Yosi Yohanes Putra Tandi 7Muhammad Yasir Syafa'atulloh Muhammad Yasir Syafa'atulloh 8Garuda Nusantara Putra Utomo Garuda Nusantara Putra Utomo 8Muhammad Abdir Rahman Albarok Muhammad Abdir Rahman Albarok 8Fahrul Nurkolis Fahrul Nurkolis 6*
  • 1 University of Indonesia, Depok, West Java, Indonesia
  • 2 Danone Specialized Nutrition, Jakarta, Indonesia
  • 3 Health Collaborative Center (HCC), Jakarta, Indonesia
  • 4 Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health, University of Indonesia, Depok, West Java, Indonesia
  • 5 Faculty of Medicine, University of Brawijaya, Malang, East Java, Indonesia
  • 6 Medical Research Center of Indonesia, Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia
  • 7 Bachelor of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Padjadjaran University, Bandung, West Java, Indonesia
  • 8 Faculty of Medicine, Airlangga University, Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) remains a pervasive global health challenge, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations such as women and children. This review explores the cutting-edge interplay between microRNAs (miRNAs) and proteins in erythropoiesis, highlighting novel therapeutic strategies for IDA. Emerging evidence underscores the pivotal role of miRNAs—such as miR-15a, miR-24, miR-150, and miR-223—in regulating erythropoiesis, with dysregulation linked to hematologic and systemic diseases. Proteins, acting as modulators of miRNA activity, present innovative pathways for intervention by influencing erythropoiesis at multiple stages, from stem cell proliferation to red blood cell maturation. Our synthesis highlights key molecular mechanisms: miR-15a suppresses erythropoiesis by inhibiting c-Myb, miR-24 impairs heme biosynthesis through ALK4 regulation, while miR-150 and miR-223 modulate critical hematopoietic pathways affecting cell differentiation and apoptosis. These miRNA-protein interactions suggest targeted therapies such as protein-based miRNA modulators could optimize erythropoiesis, advancing IDA management. Additionally, the review emphasizes the potential of leveraging protein-miRNA interactions for precision medicine, especially in resource-limited settings where anemia's burden is profound. By bridging current knowledge gaps, our proposed strategies offer personalized and scalable therapeutic solutions. This comprehensive perspective lays the groundwork for future interventions addressing one of the world's most widespread public health crises.

    Keywords: miRNA, microRNA, Anemia, Erythropoiesis, protein, iron deficiency anemia, erythrocyte

    Received: 27 Nov 2024; Accepted: 14 Jan 2025.

    Copyright: © 2025 Wagiu Basrowi, Sundjaya, Pratiwi, Amalia, Tandi, Syafa'atulloh, Utomo, Albarok and Nurkolis. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence: Fahrul Nurkolis, Medical Research Center of Indonesia, Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia

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